A mixture of Republican stubbornness and Democratic timidity has brought us to this point. Democratic leaders could have passed a budget before the 2010 elections or during the lame-duck Congress, when they held large Congressional majorities, but by punting on the issue, they empowered the new House Republican majority, whose number-one issue in the 2010 election was cutting government spending.
Those fighting poodles of the Democratic Party have, as usual, caved before the Republicans, allowing them to set the agenda. This is not so much because congrssional Democrats are craven, although they certainly are, but primarily because they are complicit and basically agree with the Republican agenda.
Can’t say I agree to this at all Bob. Reality is they did try to pass a budget, but were blocked at every turn with threats of a filibuster. Instead, they “punted” to the next congress (not a great idea, but it at least kept things moving vs shutting down then).
The big issue here is that the Republicans are trying to push not just funding cuts, but their “moral agenda” into the mix. How many variations on anti-abortion bills have been presented (and/or passed) at the state and federal levels? I’ve seen at least 20 in the past 3 months. Anti-union, anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-poor, that’s the movement being pushed here. They’re not cutting the $3B jet engine program in Boehner’s home district that the Pentagon has said it doesn’t need or want, but let’s cut $140M for PBS, and $70M that goes to groups that offer low cost healthcare for women… Clearly that’s more important…
Just like in the 80s, the far right thinks they’re totally in the right and can do whatever they please. And just like in the 80s it’s going to explode in their face again, the public will get ticked off, and a Democratic resurgence will happen in the next election cycle. They’re ignorant of their past (and of their present), because they value ignorance and degrade the “elite” and “college learned” for not being sheep and following them lock step into whatever the leadership wants. And just like always, it’s going to bite them, and I’ll smile and laugh all the way to a legalized federal gay marriage when it happens.
Well put!
“Anti-union, anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-poor, that’s the movement being pushed here.”
As opposed to the Dems who are NOT anti-choice or anti-gay. The poor and the unions, well, they’re sorry but it’s not politically expedient.
In reality, it is clear from their actions that the GOP wants fewer rights, stronger and richer corporations and weaker individuals, and are willing to use any smokescreen, including abortion and gay marriage, to get it. The Dems, on the other hand, want fewer rights, stronger and richer corporations and weaker individuals, and are willing to use any smokescreen, including abortion and gay marriage, to get it.
Wake up and smell the wealth transfer!
I think it’ll probably blow up in the Repubs faces if they push it too hard but the Dems never seem to push at all. They should have risked a filibuster and passed a budget before the elections.
Budget votes are by majority only.